Question

As-salaamu alaikum, 

Do you always have to stop at the end of an ayah? What are the cases in which you can continue into the next ayah without stopping? 

Jazakallah khair

Answer

Wa alaikum assalaam wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakatuh.

Stopping at the end of aayaat is sunnah.  It is permissible to join two aayaat together, as long as the meaning is preserved and one takes care in this regard.  There are cases where joining two aayaat together gives a more complete meaning, such as joining aayah four and  five of surah Al-Maa’oon:                                               

Translation of Meaning:

So woe to the worshippers (4) Who are neglectful of their Prayers (5).  

This doesn’t negate that stopping on the end of the aayah is sunnah, but it is allowed to join two aayaat together with the precaution that was previously stated.

Wa iyyaakum wa-l-muslimeen.